Woo hoo! Now that's how you write a cliffhanger for a mid-season break. This season of Doctor Who has been one most enjoyable ever. There's not a single bad episode in the lot. I can't wait for the conclusion in September, but at least we know who River Song is, which concludes what must be the longest story arc in Doctor Who history.
Showing posts with label tv. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tv. Show all posts
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
RIP Elisabeth Sladen
The actress Elisabeth Sladen, well known to Doctor Who fans as Sarah Jane Smith, has died. Sarah Jane was my favourite companion. Sladen recently reprised the role as the title character in The Sarah Jana Adventures, which was a very enjoyable series.
Sladen was only 63 but apparently had been fighting cancer for some time, which makes her performance in SJA even more special, as it was quite a physical role. Half of the stories for series 5 of SJA were were ready completed. It is uncertain if these episodes will ever be aired.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Sarah Jane Adventures Series 4
The highlight of The Sarah Jane Adventures series 4 was undoubtedly the story Death of the Doctor. It featured the eleventh Doctor, played by Matt Smith of course, a darker side of UNIT, and former companion Jo Grant.
She left the Tardis because she was getting married, so she is naturally astounded that the Doctor allows married companions on the Tardis now. It's clear this story takes place after the events in the Doctor Who special, A Christmas Carol, since Amy and Rory are still on their honeymoon.
The other five stories are excellent as well, although there are times when they deliver the life lesson with a bludgeon. Thankfully this problem is specific to certain writers and isn't indicative of the overall production.
The younger characters, Clyde and Rani, were given much more story time in series 4 than in previous ones, which allowed for more character development. The super genius, Luke, has gone away to university which gave Clyde and Rani a chance to shine. They actually had one story, The Empty Planet, all to themselves, literally. In a couple of stories, the young assistants were the ones rescuing Sarah Jane, which was a nice turn about. I hope the trend continues in series 5.
She left the Tardis because she was getting married, so she is naturally astounded that the Doctor allows married companions on the Tardis now. It's clear this story takes place after the events in the Doctor Who special, A Christmas Carol, since Amy and Rory are still on their honeymoon.
The other five stories are excellent as well, although there are times when they deliver the life lesson with a bludgeon. Thankfully this problem is specific to certain writers and isn't indicative of the overall production.
The younger characters, Clyde and Rani, were given much more story time in series 4 than in previous ones, which allowed for more character development. The super genius, Luke, has gone away to university which gave Clyde and Rani a chance to shine. They actually had one story, The Empty Planet, all to themselves, literally. In a couple of stories, the young assistants were the ones rescuing Sarah Jane, which was a nice turn about. I hope the trend continues in series 5.
Friday, December 17, 2010
SGU Cancelled
And another scifi series goes down in flames. SyFy has cancelled Stargate Universe. Supposedly, the remaining episodes of season two will be shown but why bother? I suspect the episodes were already completed so it will just be a cliffhanger ending, unless SyFy lets them reshoot, which is highly unlikely.
Reading people's comments about the series, it's obvious a large segment of the Stargate fans absolutely hated SGU. Seriously, SGU was not that bad. It's a very different show than SG-1 and Atlantis but there's nothing wrong with that. I found this attitude surprising because one generally expects scifi fans to be a little more open minded. I guess that's a myth.
Reading people's comments about the series, it's obvious a large segment of the Stargate fans absolutely hated SGU. Seriously, SGU was not that bad. It's a very different show than SG-1 and Atlantis but there's nothing wrong with that. I found this attitude surprising because one generally expects scifi fans to be a little more open minded. I guess that's a myth.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Stargate Universe Season 2
Stargate Universe season two is on mid season haitus and won't be back until the spring. Sigh. I should be used it but hiatuses really annoy me. Judging how season one was structured, the SGU producers seem to compensate for the split season by saving the best stories for the second half. I hoping this pattern repeats as it will make the wait worthwhile. The series continues to grow on me and the fact that it is very different from its predecessors, is actually a good thing.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Primeval Series 3
Primeval is an average sci-fi series that keeps sucking me back in for reasons that I haven't completely figured out yet.
For the most part, the series is just a monster-of-the-week show. The characters are actually intelligent but the writers tend to ignore this fact in every episode for dramatic purposes. Or they use an even cheaper trick like having the clumsy geek trip over something. You will groan at least once each episode, trust me. Nitpickers should not watch this!
Despite all that, the basic premise of the series is interesting (although hardly original) and the background behind the anomalies is being developed, albeit very slowly. My instincts tell me that the writers have no idea where the anomalies come from but I keep watching just in case. Oh look, there's already a fourth and fifth series... ^_^
For the most part, the series is just a monster-of-the-week show. The characters are actually intelligent but the writers tend to ignore this fact in every episode for dramatic purposes. Or they use an even cheaper trick like having the clumsy geek trip over something. You will groan at least once each episode, trust me. Nitpickers should not watch this!
Despite all that, the basic premise of the series is interesting (although hardly original) and the background behind the anomalies is being developed, albeit very slowly. My instincts tell me that the writers have no idea where the anomalies come from but I keep watching just in case. Oh look, there's already a fourth and fifth series... ^_^
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Not Enough Sci?
It must be a sign of the Apocalypse: my brother is commenting on my blog! ^__^
I don't agree that there is not enough sci in the sci-fi in the Caprica series. Most of the technology seems to be extrapolations of what is presently available or under development. For example, the computer sheet seen in the show, might be based on electronic paper.
I was more worried about the story which meandered too much, and some of the acting was not very good. Overall, the social themes presented in the series were very interesting. Good sci-fi is an opportunity for social commentary, and isn't necessarily just about technology. Unfortunately, TV sci-fi generally goes for the latter and rarely does the former well.
I don't agree that there is not enough sci in the sci-fi in the Caprica series. Most of the technology seems to be extrapolations of what is presently available or under development. For example, the computer sheet seen in the show, might be based on electronic paper.
I was more worried about the story which meandered too much, and some of the acting was not very good. Overall, the social themes presented in the series were very interesting. Good sci-fi is an opportunity for social commentary, and isn't necessarily just about technology. Unfortunately, TV sci-fi generally goes for the latter and rarely does the former well.
Friday, October 29, 2010
I Hate U.S. TV
It's time for the "I hate U.S. TV" rant again.
I just started watching Caprica even though the series started in January. The first season went on hiatus after nine episodes and just returned as season 1.5 this month. Unfortunately, the ratings were too low for the execs at the Syfy channel so they cancelled the show!
Let me get this straight. You put a show on hiatus for more than six months and you expect the ratings to just magically bounce back when the series returns? Well, it just shows that TV executives are a lot dumber that I thought they were. Of course this is the Syfy channel. They probably needed to free up the schedule for more wrestling.
I am enjoying the series but I'm debating whether to continue watching, since it's basically pointless now. Decisions, decisions.
That wasn't much of a rant, was it?
I just started watching Caprica even though the series started in January. The first season went on hiatus after nine episodes and just returned as season 1.5 this month. Unfortunately, the ratings were too low for the execs at the Syfy channel so they cancelled the show!
Let me get this straight. You put a show on hiatus for more than six months and you expect the ratings to just magically bounce back when the series returns? Well, it just shows that TV executives are a lot dumber that I thought they were. Of course this is the Syfy channel. They probably needed to free up the schedule for more wrestling.
I am enjoying the series but I'm debating whether to continue watching, since it's basically pointless now. Decisions, decisions.
That wasn't much of a rant, was it?
Monday, October 4, 2010
3D TV
Manufacturers are all over this 3D TV thing like a bad smell. Now Toshiba has announced a model that doesn't requires glasses. Wow! Sorry, that's as excited as I can get. While I suppose it's interesting from a technical standpoint, I have a hard time taking 3D seriously. My problem is that 3D always seemed to be a gimmick and I just can't get past that.
The film industry uses 3D as way to increase profits with the premium pricing for 3D screenings. Which does nothing to change my opinion that 3D is just a gimmick.
The film industry uses 3D as way to increase profits with the premium pricing for 3D screenings. Which does nothing to change my opinion that 3D is just a gimmick.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
FlashForward
What surprised me about FlashForward was that I kept watching it. The first few episodes were not promising. The series felt too much like a soap opera and had too many gun battles, almost one per episode. The proof that I was hooked came when I resumed following the series after it returned from a three month hiatus.
I was in the minority. A steady decline in ratings ensured that the series would not be renewed. I've been wondering why the show was not able to hold the viewers. It certainly wasn't a terrible series and it catered to the prime time crowd more than the scifi enthusiast.
Perhaps the series reminded too many people of Lost, which seemed to have disappointed many of the loyal viewers who stuck with it for six seasons. There's very little in the first season of FlashForward to indicate that its creators had a long term plan for the series.
Except for the final episode, that is. There's another backout and this time we see flashes as far into the future as 2015. That does suggest there is a long term story arc, but we'll never know now. The folks who gave up on the series, were right as they were spared the cliffhanger ending of an unfinished series.
I was in the minority. A steady decline in ratings ensured that the series would not be renewed. I've been wondering why the show was not able to hold the viewers. It certainly wasn't a terrible series and it catered to the prime time crowd more than the scifi enthusiast.
Perhaps the series reminded too many people of Lost, which seemed to have disappointed many of the loyal viewers who stuck with it for six seasons. There's very little in the first season of FlashForward to indicate that its creators had a long term plan for the series.
Except for the final episode, that is. There's another backout and this time we see flashes as far into the future as 2015. That does suggest there is a long term story arc, but we'll never know now. The folks who gave up on the series, were right as they were spared the cliffhanger ending of an unfinished series.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Dakar Coverage
I'm watching the Dakar via torrents of the Eurosport coverage, which is just amazing. It must be an hour long show with commercials. (I don't know for sure since I don't see the commercials!) The best part is they have a crew in the bivouac and actual live post-stage interviews. They still have to use the stock in-stage footage provided by the organizers, but the live stuff really makes a difference. My only quibble is that that they reverse the car and motorbike segments in the stock footage. I find it a little disconcerting because the motorbikes do start before the cars. But it is still the best Dakar coverage I've ever seen. Kudos!
Friday, January 8, 2010
American Television
I don't watch many American TV shows these days but I got sucked in by FlashForward and Stargate: Universe, and was actually starting to enjoy both shows. So what happens when they get half way through the season? Both go on hiatus until the Spring! I mean what is it with that?
There's a reason I don't watch many American TV shows. Thanks for reminding me what it is. The people who produce the shows are clueless about how to entertain people.
There's a reason I don't watch many American TV shows. Thanks for reminding me what it is. The people who produce the shows are clueless about how to entertain people.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Heads In The Sand
One part of the fee-for-carriage demands by Canadian broadcasters requires cable companies to block the feed from a US broadcaster, instead just replacing the US feed with one from the Canadian broadcaster. This will enable the Canadian broadcaster to schedule the show a different time, while keeping at least the same advertising revenue. Are these folks nuts?
So let's see... People see black screens when they tune in to a US TV channel. They start asking around. They discover they can get the show on the Internet. Nobody watches the show on the Canadian broadcaster. The broadcaster loses advertising revenue and goes out of business. And good riddance!
The people who run these companies must their heads buried the sand. It is obvious they don't have a clue about the options are available to average people.
So let's see... People see black screens when they tune in to a US TV channel. They start asking around. They discover they can get the show on the Internet. Nobody watches the show on the Canadian broadcaster. The broadcaster loses advertising revenue and goes out of business. And good riddance!
The people who run these companies must their heads buried the sand. It is obvious they don't have a clue about the options are available to average people.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
The Sarah Jane Adventures
I just finished watching the second series of The Sarah Jane Adventures, another Doctor Who spin off. Although The Sarah Jane Adventures (SJA) is targeted at a younger audience, I enjoyed it very much. Sarah Jane is easily my favourite companion, even though she travelled with the Doctor for only a short time.
A few stories in the SJA series are connected to events in the current Doctor Who series but most stories are original and separate. My favourite from series two was The Temptation Of Sarah Jane Smith which showed that she is not without weaknesses.
There is a third series airing in the Autumn and David Tennant will appear as the Doctor in one story. Awesome! There no air date yet so I'll definitely have to keep an eye on that.
A few stories in the SJA series are connected to events in the current Doctor Who series but most stories are original and separate. My favourite from series two was The Temptation Of Sarah Jane Smith which showed that she is not without weaknesses.
There is a third series airing in the Autumn and David Tennant will appear as the Doctor in one story. Awesome! There no air date yet so I'll definitely have to keep an eye on that.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
BSG Episode 14
Things sure are moving fast in Battlestar Galactica, but I'm glad they didn't draw out the rebellion/coup sub plot too much. It exposed the hatred that most humans feel toward the Cyclons as a deep festering wound, and the leadership needed to overcome that hatred will be tested.
One question has been on my mind lately. If Earth was inhabited by the Cylons, where did the Humans come from? I hope that gets answered at some point.
One question has been on my mind lately. If Earth was inhabited by the Cylons, where did the Humans come from? I hope that gets answered at some point.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Doctor Who
I finally got around to watching the Doctor Who Christmas special. It was enjoyable and well worth the time. But is is also a little sad as it will be one of the last few stories with David Tennant as the Doctor. The title of the Christmas special was "The New Doctor" which I suppose was a little joke from the producers since the official announcement of the new Doctor only came in early January.
The new actor will have some big shoes to fill. David Tennent was by far the best Doctor of all. I also liked how the new series changed the Doctor's personality. The character as been through so much in the intervening years that he seems a lot meaner than the the incarnations of the 1970's and 1980's. Some have even suggested that the current Doctor is a return the first one, who was much more vindictive than the later personas.
It made the return of the series a lot more interesting and watchable. However, the entire creative team has changed as well, so who knows what direction they will decide to take. I'll watch it no matter what since its just so great have Doctor Who back on the air.
The new actor will have some big shoes to fill. David Tennent was by far the best Doctor of all. I also liked how the new series changed the Doctor's personality. The character as been through so much in the intervening years that he seems a lot meaner than the the incarnations of the 1970's and 1980's. Some have even suggested that the current Doctor is a return the first one, who was much more vindictive than the later personas.
It made the return of the series a lot more interesting and watchable. However, the entire creative team has changed as well, so who knows what direction they will decide to take. I'll watch it no matter what since its just so great have Doctor Who back on the air.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica has returned to air the final ten episodes of the series. I really looking forward to seeing how it ends. If episode 11 is anything to go by, there are many more surprises still to come.
The first season of BSG was the best sci-fi TV series I'd seen since Babylon 5. The second and third seasons where OK but the series seemed to lose its way for a while. The fourth season, however, saw a return to the high quality stories of the first season. I will miss BSG but every story must have an ending.
The first season of BSG was the best sci-fi TV series I'd seen since Babylon 5. The second and third seasons where OK but the series seemed to lose its way for a while. The fourth season, however, saw a return to the high quality stories of the first season. I will miss BSG but every story must have an ending.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Life Without Cable TV
It has been 16 months since I ditched cable TV and yet I watch more "TV" now. Why? Because I can get more shows that I really want to watch with bittorrent, than was possible on cable. Once the non-technical masses can use this easily, cable TV is dead. Bittorrent requires some effort from the user so, by itself, it is not a direct replacement for cable. But more friendly front ends like Miro might just change that.
I have not tried Miro because it depends on xine which seems to use much more resources than mplayer. Anyway, I looked at Miro because it uses RSS feeds to find new episodes of a show. I do this manually now and it is very tedious and error prone. I need something like Miro as a simpler, command line only, application that could automate some of the work. So far, I haven't found anything that might to the job, so it looks like I'll have to write my own.
I have not tried Miro because it depends on xine which seems to use much more resources than mplayer. Anyway, I looked at Miro because it uses RSS feeds to find new episodes of a show. I do this manually now and it is very tedious and error prone. I need something like Miro as a simpler, command line only, application that could automate some of the work. So far, I haven't found anything that might to the job, so it looks like I'll have to write my own.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
